Wuhan's BEST Hotel? Hanting Premium Guanggu St. Review!
Wuhan's BEST Hotel? Hanting Premium Guanggu St. Review: My (Mostly) Glorious, Sometimes Clunky Adventure!
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Wuhan and stayed at the Hanting Premium Guanggu St. And, let me tell you, it was a mixed bag. Like, a seriously mixed bag. Let's unpack this beast of a hotel, shall we? We're talking everything from accessibility to the sheer terror of trying to order a coffee at 3 AM.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Let's Be Honest (Mostly Good Though!)
Okay, right off the bat, I'm not in a wheelchair, so I can't give you a definitive wheelchair accessible rundown. But! I did poke around. Elevators? Yes! Thank the heavens. Facilities for disabled guests, they claim to have them. Now, whether that means ramps and accessible rooms that actually work… I couldn't personally verify. But they say they have them, and elevators are a good start. The location itself, smack-dab in Guanggu, seemed pretty easy to navigate, even just wandering around. So: Accessibility: 3.5/5. Room for improvement in verifiable accessibility details, but a decent start.
Safety & Cleanliness: Feeling Cautiously Optimistic (Mostly Clean!)
Look, we're talking Wuhan. Yeah, the whole COVID thing is still kinda lurking in the back of your mind. So, how'd the Hanting Premium stack up on the safety front?
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. (Or at least they said check. I didn't see anyone actually cleaning with them, but hey, trust the signage, right?)
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Probably. I'm assuming so, anyway. The lobby always looked reasonably tidy.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They said they did. I didn't exactly see 'em wiping, but again, trust the official line.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Which is fantastic. Constantly refreshing my germ-a-phobe hands.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They all had masks on. So, that's something.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Attempted. Mostly. It’s China. People get close.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They told us again. I hope so.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They all had masks.
And the little extra things?
- Cashless payment service: Absolutely essential.
- First aid kit: Always good to know.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Phew, just in case.
So, overall? 4/5 stars for safety and cleanliness. They went above and beyond (at least on a surface level) to make you feel safe, which, in the current climate, is HUGE. And I have to give HUGE bonus points for the hand sanitizer – it was practically everywhere! I even took a sneaky bottle for the plane home. Don't judge.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Adventure Begins! (Expect the Unexpected!)
Okay, here's where it gets interesting. Let's break this down based on my personal experiences shall we?
- Restaurants: They HAVE restaurants. I think. I saw a dining room. But I'm never quite clear what the dining schedule is.
- Coffee Shop: Yep. And finding it open was an odyssey. One morning at 3AM I wanted coffee. I should have saved the caffeine craving earlier. I wander around, squinting through the dim halls. Eventually I find a sign. Great. Open. Wait, where is it? Asking anyone was tough, I'm still a beginner with Mandarin and their English range was… limited. Eventually, after asking 10 different people, a very kind staff member led me down a winding corridor, past some industrial-looking machinery, and… ta-da! Coffee! It was worth the adventure, even the very questionable instant coffee. Rating: 3.5/5 (Adventure points are high, coffee quality, not so much.)
- Breakfast: Oh boy – the breakfast. The Asian breakfast, primarily. I went for the Breakfast [buffet] one day, and it was a fascinating experience. A few things that I couldn't translate and was way too scared to ask. The variety was substantial! Noodles, steamed buns, weird green things I think were vegetables. They had Western breakfast elements. I saw some kind of [buffet]! I played it safe. I think I was very hungry? The staff was rushing around trying to keep up. I think the breakfast was included. I'm still not entirely sure. Rating: 3/5 (Good for the adventurous eater, a little confusing.)
- Snack Bar: I saw no snack bar. Not that I noticed.
- Room service [24-hour]: It said they had it on the TV. Never actually tried. I'm afraid of what would arrive.
- Bottle of Water: They supplied it.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: You've Got Options (If You Can Find Them!)
- Fitness center: Yes. Seemed decent. Couldn't bring myself to use it. Too much to eat.
- Spa/Sauna: Saw the signs, I think. But I didn't actually find them. Maybe they were hidden behind the coffee shop?
- Pool with view, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope. Not in the cards. I was looking for something I could do, I was looking for a break. I saw nothing. Things to Do and Ways to Relax Rating: 2/5 (Wish there were more for a relaxing break.)
Internet & Tech: Mostly Smooth Sailing
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! And it worked! Pretty reliable, actually.
- Internet access – LAN: Didn't try it.
- Internet access – wireless: See above. Good.
- Room service [24-hour]: They had it.
- Power charging station: Definitely.
Cleanliness & Safety: Pretty Much Covered
I feel like I’ve said enough.
My Own Personal Room: Clean, (Mostly) Functional, and (Sometimes) Noisy
Alright, let's get specific. My room! The non-smoking room was… well, it claimed to be non-smoking. I never smelled anything untoward. The air conditioning worked. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver (hello, jet lag!). And the Wi-Fi [free], as mentioned, was ace.
- Comfort: The bed was comfy enough. The hair dryer - a godsend. The slippers in the room? Lovely touch.
- Soundproofing: This is where it got tricky. The soundproofing wasn't fantastic. I occasionally heard the chatter of people in the hallways, the occasional banging, or the very enthusiastic karaoke singer from the nearby building.
- Bathroom: The separate shower/bathtub was a nice feature. The hot water always worked. The mirror was good.
- Extras: Complimentary tea and bottle of water were there. I always appreciate that. The TV had tons of channels, mostly in Chinese, but I found a few English-language movies.
- Negative points: The room seemed to be close to one of the service elevators. And that, my friends, could be noisy.
- Room Decorations: Room decorations seemed ok.
- Individual Rooms Rating: 4/5 (The Wi-Fi saved it.)
Service and Convenience: Hit or Miss (Mostly Miss, Honestly)
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yes. They were helpful. Sometimes they couldn't really understand me. But they tried.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes. And when I say daily? Daily. My bed was tidied, towels replaced, and the little bottles of shampoo and soap refilled.
- Dry cleaning: Yes. But I did not try it.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Pretty sure they had it.
- Concierge: A little bewildered from time to time.
The Verdict?
Look, the Hanting Premium Guanggu St. is not the perfect hotel. It's a bit rough around the edges. The language barrier can be challenging. The breakfast is an enigma, and finding your way to the coffee shop at 3 AM is an adventure better suited for Indiana Jones. But… it's cheap, clean, has decent Wi-Fi, and the staff truly tries their best. And honestly, sometimes that's all you need. My final rating? 3.75/5. Would I stay again? Absolutely. But I'd definitely bring my own coffee.
Usedom's Pirate Island Adventure: Family Wellness at Seeklause Hotel!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into my Wuhan adventure, specifically the glorious, slightly-too-bright-for-my-sensitive-eyes, Hanting Premium Hotel in the heart of Guanggu's Pedestrian Street Entrepreneurial Center. Prepare for chaos, contradictions, and a healthy dose of "wait, what?"
The Wuhan Wrangle: A Hot Mess Itinerary (and my Brain's Running Commentary)
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Regret (Kidding! … Mostly)
14:00 – Arrival, Hotel Check-in, and Existential Dread: Okay, first impressions: the hotel looks clean. Like, hospital-clean. A little…sterile. The lobby smells faintly of lemon-scented disinfectant, which, honestly, after a twelve-hour flight, felt less welcoming and more "you will be sanitised before you get to cry." The check-in lady was efficient, but her smile felt pre-programmed. I got my key card and the usual spiel, and then the elevator, a gleaming metal box, took me to my room which it's supposed to be a great comfort. No. The reality of the trip started to hit me like a wet noodle. I'm in Wuhan. Alone. Is there WIFI? Is the bed comfortable? Is it safe? I really don't know, but hey, no regrets! I went to sleep after checking my phone, and thinking about food.
16:00 – First Food Fight: Hunger wins. I venture out onto Guanggu Pedestrian Street. My senses are overloaded. The noise! The lights! The sheer volume of people! I'm instantly overwhelmed. Finding a restaurant is like navigating a minefield. I wander around for at least half an hour, dodging scooters, hawkers, and the occasional toddler wielding a plastic sword. Finally, I spot a place advertising "Authentic Wuhan Noodles." SOLD. Except…the menu is entirely in Mandarin. I point frantically at pictures, the waiter looks at me like I’m a particularly simple alien. Noodles arrive. They look…interesting. They're slippery, spicy, and contain something that, I think, might be a…pig offal? I eat them anyway, because I'm hungry, and because, you know, adventure. My mouth burns, my stomach churns, I'm sweating… and oddly, I kind of love it. This is what I came for, right? The unknown? The slightly-questionable-intestines-in-my-noodles? Yep. This is China.
19:00 – The Night Market and a Moment of Bling: Back out onto the street, now transformed into a neon-lit wonderland of street food stalls. Seriously, the smells! The sights! There are more fried things than I've ever seen in one place. I treat myself to a skewer of grilled meat that I believe might be chicken. It is delicious. I get a ridiculous, sparkly phone case from a vendor because, hey, I'm in China, and why not? It's gaudy; it's tacky; and I adore it. This is where the chaos is at it's greatest, and the city shows how much of a place it is.
21:00 – Back to the Hotel and… Netflix: Exhausted, overwhelmed, and buzzing with a strange mix of excitement and mild terror. I retreat to my room, collapse on the bed, and turn on Netflix. Thank GOD for subtitles.
Day 2: Culture Shock, Stinky Tofu, and a Near-Death Experience (Maybe Exaggerating…)
08:00 – Breakfast of Champions…or Just…Noodles?: The hotel offers a buffet. I steel myself. I can't face the noodles again. I find something that looks suspiciously like congee. I try it. It's…bland. Very bland. But at least it's not spicy. I eat some toast.
09:30 – Chu River Han Street (The "Culture" Part): The first real cultural experience. I'd read about it – a pedestrian street with traditional architecture. It’s beautiful, I have to say. It's all red lanterns and elaborate carvings and feels like I've stepped into a postcard. I buy a fan that immediately breaks.
12:00 – Stinky Tofu: A Love Story…Eventually: I had to try it. Stinky tofu. The infamous. The legendary. The thing that everyone warned me about. The smell hits me before I even see it. It's… intense. Like a combination of gym socks and something I can't quite place. I take a bite. It's…crunchy. And…kinda good? The sauce they put on it definitely helps. I eat another. And another. Okay, maybe I love it. Don't judge me!
14:00 – The Metro and a Near-Miss: I decide to be brave and try the Wuhan Metro. It's fast, efficient, and packed. I get on the wrong line. Eventually, I get off at the perfect random stop. I try to get back on, and almost get crushed in the doors. I'm pretty sure I saw my life flash before my eyes. (Okay, maybe not, but it FELT intense.) I'm back in the hotel, and I'm getting some rest, please and thank you.
17:00 – The Hotel Gym and Deep Regret: The Hanting Premium hotel has a gym. I've been on a plane for hours, eaten everything on the street, and now I'm going to be fit. Oh god. It's tiny, it smells of stale sweat, and the equipment looks like it's from the 80s. I work out. I hate it. I give it 30 minutes. I am absolutely exhausted and I wonder why I even bother. But hey…maybe tomorrow!
19:00 – Dinner and a Language Barrier: I find a restaurant that looks appealing. I manage to order… something. I'm pretty sure I got the wrong thing. It turns out to be a whole fish. Head, tail, scale and all. I'm not sure how to eat it. I try. Fish bones everywhere, I'm terrified, but I've found my way to eat fish. Success!
21:00 – Bedtime and the Realisation that Tomorrow is Another Day: I'm done. I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. I'm going to wake up, and I'm going to go out again. I am going to eat, and I am going to see. The city has a hold on me… it's really special. Goodnight Wuhan.
Day 3: The Tea House, the Park, and the Quiet Moment (Finally!)
09:00 – Sleep in, and a proper breakfast: I sleep in! Amazing! Eggs, coffee, toast… It's heaven!
10:30 – Relaxing at a tea house, and writing my thoughts: The tea house is quiet, and I can finally breathe. It smells of tea, and the air is filled with the sounds of the city. I pick up my laptop, and my notebook. I write my thoughts, and I finally enjoy my vacation.
13:00 – Goodbye Dinner: I decide to return to the first restaurant and order my favourite dish. I eat as much as I can, because I want to keep the experience with me. Goodbye Wuhan!
15:00 – Airport: The time has come. The plane will leave, and I have to get my ticket. I don't want to, but I'll do it. I look back, and I promise myself. I'll be back.
18:00 – Flight: I wait, and hope that everything goes ok. A new chapter begins.
Final Thoughts:
Wuhan. What a whirlwind. It's chaotic. It's confusing. It's overwhelming. It's incredibly delicious. It's utterly bonkers. It's a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and then, somehow, pulls you in. I'm not sure I've "conquered" Wuhan, but I've definitely been challenged. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, if you could excuse me, I need to go lie down and recover. And maybe, just maybe, start planning my return trip.
Unbelievable Tagaytay Views Await You at Felicitas!
Hanting Premium Guanggu St. in Wuhan: The Unedited Truth (and Maybe a Few Tears)
So, is this place actually... premium? Like, real premium? Or just… Hanting-esque premium?
Okay, let's be honest. "Premium" is doing some heavy lifting here. It's not a Ritz-Carlton, okay? Don't show up expecting gold-plated faucets. But, and this is a big but, it *is* a step up from some of the truly budget Hantings I've stumbled into. Think… clean-ish. Updated-ish. The lobby *tried* to look fancy, with maybe a slightly bewildered potted plant. "Premium" translates to "less likely to make you immediately want to run screaming into the Wuhan night." I mean, I didn't, and that's saying something about the state of my sanity on this particular trip.
How's the Wi-Fi? Because I *need* Wi-Fi. My job/relationships/sanity depend on it.
Ah, the eternal struggle. The Wi-Fi... it was… present. Look, sometimes it worked like a dream, streaming HD videos and letting me video call my dog (who, bless his heart, always looks confused). Other times, it felt like wrestling a particularly grumpy octopus. It would cut out, load slower than a snail dragging a barge, and generally test the limits of my patience, which, admittedly, are already pretty thin after a long day navigating Wuhan's traffic. I had to, like, practically become one with the router at one point to get a stable connection. So, pack your patience... and maybe download some offline entertainment.
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually, you know, near anything interesting?
Guanggu Street! Okay, it's *close-ish* to Guanggu Pedestrian Street, which is a sprawling, frenetic, sensory overload of shops, restaurants, and… well, people. Lots and lots of people. It's definitely a hub. So, on the one hand, you're not stranded in the middle of nowhere. On the other hand, get ready for the crowds. And the sounds. And the smells. Honestly, after a day there, I felt like I needed a week-long silent retreat. But, hey, convenience comes at a price, and that price includes being elbow-to-elbow with what felt like the entire population of Wuhan at times.
The room itself - was there anything that made you go "Wow, that's a nice touch!!" or "OMG get me outta here!"?
Okay, this is where it gets… personal. The room itself? Standard. Bed? Comfortable *enough*. Bathroom? Functional. The highlight? The *window*. (Pause for dramatic effect). It offered a view of… another building. Specifically, the air conditioning units of another building. It wasn’t exactly inspiring. I'm pretty sure I spent more time *avoiding* looking out the window than enjoying it. Like, I genuinely considered putting a giant picture of a beach on the window, just to sanity-check my mental state. The "OMG get me outta here!" moment? Well, there was this *one* time the air conditioning decided to sound like a jet engine taking off at 3 AM. Let's just say, sleep was not achieved that night. Or the next. Or the one after…. I think I'm still grumpy about it.
Breakfast! Tell me about the breakfast! (Because breakfast is important)
Breakfast… ah, yes. The great breakfast debate. Breakfast *was* included, which is always a plus. Was it gourmet? No. Was it… edible? Mostly. There was a selection of… things. Some kind of congee (rice porridge) that, honestly, I've had better. Some questionable meat products that I steered clear of. Steamed buns (baozi)? Sure, why not. Honestly, the coffee was… weak. Like, painfully weak. I think I ended up just eating fruit and trying to look optimistic. It functioned as breakfast in the sense that it stopped me from completely starving. Consider it a fuel-up, not a culinary experience.
Customer Service? Were the staff helpful or did you just get a bunch of blank stares?
The staff! Okay, this is where I have to give them a little love. They were… trying. Language barriers exist, obviously. But they were generally polite, and when I actually *needed* something (like, say, help figuring out the air conditioning situation, or *anything* with the Wi-Fi), they did their best. They even, on one occasion, went above and beyond to help me find a taxi during a torrential downpour (seriously, it felt like the sky was falling). So, yeah, they were good, solid, hardworking people, just trying to do their job. And I appreciate it, even if my sleep was constantly being sabotaged by the jet engine in my room. Bless their hearts.
I heard there are laundry facilities. What were they like?
Laundry? Oh, that’s a memory. There *were* laundry facilities, and they were... in the basement. Imagine a dimly lit room, humming with the nervous energy of washing machines battling against the forces of dirt and grime. Okay, maybe I am being a little dramatic. But, the point is, the machines looked ancient, there were no clear instructions in anything I could even guess to read, and I spent a good twenty minutes just trying to figure out *how* to turn the darn thing on. I eventually gave up. I'm pretty sure I just went to a laundromat. (Which, by the way, also wasn't easy to find). So, yeah. Laundry? Buyer beware. Unless you’re a laundry savant, probably just skip it.
Would you stay there again? Brutally honest! What are the REAL pros and cons?
Okay, the brutally honest truth? It depends. If I'm desperate and need to be in that area, sure. It beats sleeping on a park bench (though the thought is admittedly tempting after that air conditioning experience). If price is a major concern, absolutely. It's a reasonably priced option. But… if I had more options? If I could afford a slightly more upscale hotel with, y'know, WORKING air conditioning and decent Wi-Fi? Yeah, I'd probably go for it. The pros: location (if you like being in the thick of things) and price. The cons: The everything else. I mean, it's a gamble. You *might* get a decent room with decent sleep. Or you might end up battling a rogue air conditioning unit and a Wi-Fi gremlin. Up to you, really. But hey, at least you'll have a story to tell.
